“Swaddling has been scientifically proven to soothe upset babies because it mimics pressure similar to the pressure felt in their mother’s womb,” Ashton McCutchen, a certified pediatric sleep consultant and pediatric registered nurse, tells Verywell Family. “Swaddling also helps your baby to control their startle reflex, which is what causes their arms and legs to jolt when startled by noise or movement.” What many parents and caregivers don’t realize is that swaddles are not one-size-fits-all, so you’ll need to buy the appropriate size for your baby’s age. You’ll also want to consider the material, making sure it’s breathable or warm enough, depending on where you live. We found that the best swaddles are stretchy but snug-fitting, soft, and easy to use and clean. Moreover, think about the purpose of the swaddle, as some help with reflexes while others assist with transitioning out of the swaddle. We researched the most popular picks from leading brands that fit these features. Here are some of the best swaddles to keep your baby snug and comfortable.
Always place your baby to sleep on their back Stop swaddling around the 2-month mark when your baby learns how to roll over.
Parents who have tried many other swaddles claim this is the best fit yet. They’re great for smaller babies, but they have two sizes, so you can get a larger package if you expect a big baby. When you are trying to transition out of the swaddle, you can place one arm or both out of the swaddle to get them used to sleep with their hands “free.” The brand also offers other types of swaddles to further your baby’s transition, although they are sold separately. One note: The Original swaddle needs to be completely undone for a middle-of-the-night diaper change, so it might be a negative for some parents. Material: Cotton | Age Range: 0 to 3 months (Size Small) | Dimensions: 1.75 x 8.25 x 8 inches | Weight Range: 7 to 14 pounds, or up to 26 inches (Size Small) | Price at time of publication: $31 You will have to master your swaddling techniques, as they have no Velcro or other fasteners to secure them. The good news is that once you do, you can create a wrap that’s just right for your baby. This set of four is made of soft bamboo muslin with 18 different print options to suit the baby’s nursery. Expert Notes: “Our two favorite [swaddles] were/are the Aden and Anais swaddle blanket and the Halo Sleepsack Swaddle. In addition to being extremely easy to use, both products allowed us to protect our son’s airway, breathing, and circulation.” — Ashton McCutchen, certified pediatric sleep consultant and pediatric registered nurse Customers rave about how soft and beautiful these blankets are. Those in warm climates particularly like how lightweight the muslin is for swaddling. Material: Bamboo muslin | Age Range: Not Listed | Dimensions: 47 x 47 inches | Weight Range: Not Listed | Price at time of publication: $55 This doesn’t take as much skill to master as some of the other swaddle options, as it has a zipper up the middle, which unzips from the bottom to make diaper changes easy, and adjustable fasteners that keep the swaddle in place. It’s versatile too, as you can choose to swaddle your baby one of three ways—with arms in, hands-to-face, or one or both arms all the way out—to match their sleep style. This one is also endorsed by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute for being “Hip Healthy.” Expert Notes: “There can be so much new information to remember as a new parent, so I particularly appreciate how both Aden and Anais and Halo products make it so easy to ensure that your child is sleeping safe. Halo’s Sleepsack Swaddle even reminds you to make sure you lay your baby on their back, as is recommended for sleep safety, with ‘Back is Best’ stitched on the chest of the sleep sack!” — Ashton McCutchen, certified pediatric sleep consultant and pediatric registered nurse Parents love this swaddle, saying it’s the perfect alternative to a blanket, and many credit it with helping their newborns sleep soundly. Material: Polyester | Age Range: Not Listed | Dimensions: 12 x 9.75 x 9 inches | Weight Range: 6 to 12 pounds (Newborn) & 13 to 18 pounds (Small) | Price at time of publication: $30 This pack comes with two sacks, one printed with adorable butterflies and the other in a sweet shade of pink. They also come in an array of other colors, patterns, and materials, as well as in bigger sizes for when baby grows (see our best overall pick). These are made of 93% cotton and 7% spandex that has a nice stretch to it, and they have a two-way zipper to make diaper changes as easy as possible. Thankful parents say these swaddles are lifesavers and extremely easy to use. Some, however, don’t like the fact that they don’t wrap baby as tightly as other options on the market. Material: Cotton and spandex | Age Range: 0 to 3 months | Dimensions: 5.75 x 0.75 x 9 inches | Weight Range: 5 to 12 pounds | Price at time of publication: $25 Editors Notes: “This is one of the first sleep products I recommend to all of my friends when they have kids. Once we were past the swaddling stage, this adorable suit helped our son take baby steps toward learning how to self-soothe.” — Ashleigh Morley, Editorial Director of Verywell Family Commerce With full arms and legs, it keeps them warm and cozy, but there’s no wrapping necessary. You simply put baby in, then zip up the double zippers on the front of the suit. The hands and feet are open. It’s made of microfleece on the outside with an inner layer of breathable cotton. Parents say it’s the perfect transition, and many believe in the “magic” of this sleep suit. Material: Microfleece and cotton | Age Range: 3 to 6 months (Size Small) | Dimensions: Not Listed | Weight Range: 12 to 18 pounds (Size Small) | Price at time of publication: $40 This one is made of 100% cotton, but it comes in a variety of other colors and fabrics as well. It’s designed for infants weighing between 6-15 pounds. The majority of parents rave about its ease of use and effectiveness, though some parents report that their little ones were able to escape this swaddle. Material: Cotton | Age Range: Not Listed | Dimensions: 9.44 x 7.5 x 1.5 inches | Weight Range: 6 to 15 pounds | Price at time of publication: $25 This one is designed for babies from 6.5-13 pounds, but it comes in other sizes as well and in a variety of colors and prints. While it doesn’t work for every baby, the majority of parents say it’s not only adorable, but that it’s a great alternative to more traditional swaddles. Material: Cotton and elastane | Age Range: Not Listed | Dimensions: 11 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches | Weight Range: 6.5 to 13 pounds | Price at time of publication: $33 While this swaddle is a bit pricier than other swaddling options on the market, many parents say this one is worth every penny of it. And can you really put a price tag on sleep? Material: Polyester and spandex | Age Range: Not Listed | Dimensions: 28 x 0.1 x 30.5 inches | Weight Range: Not Listed | Price at time of publication: $60
What to Look for When Buying a Swaddle
Material and Design
“While patterns and colors are nice, you should absolutely evaluate swaddles based on functionality first,” McCutchen tells Verywell Family. “Trust me, when your baby has the inevitable 3 a.m. blowout and you need to get them changed and into a new swaddle, the last thing you will want to fool with are tons of confusing straps, cheap zippers that get stuck, or 10 pieces of Velcro that snag every piece of fabric it encounters. Look for something that is simple to use and is made with quality materials.” Before you purchase a swaddle, you will want to take into consideration the climate of where you live and the temperature at which you typically keep your home. This will help you determine which material will be best for your newborn to stay warm but not overheat. There are many materials swaddles are made from, so it’s important to know where to start. Here are some materials you’ll want to keep in mind when buying a swaddle. Breathable: With breathable fabric, airflow will be more prominent so any moisture the body creates will quickly evaporate. This type of fabric is perfect for a hot climate or if you keep your home’s temperature on the warmer side. Cotton: Cotton is one of the most breathable fabrics on the market, so while air will easily flow through, it’s also lightweight and durable. Seasonal: Some swaddles are made of a thicker material, like fleece, which is great for locations with a cold climate. It’s best to note, though, that babies can easily overheat with fleece, so it’s best to use this type of fabric in cold temperatures. Stretch: No matter what type of swaddle you decide on, you’ll want it to have some stretch. You’ll be able to stretch the blanket or fabric to the right amount of tightness for a proper fit on your newborn.
Purpose
Because swaddles are only safe until your baby starts to roll over, or around the two-month mark, determine the purpose of the swaddle before buying. Not all swaddles are designed for use immediately after birth, so consider what you’ll be using the swaddle for. For example, if you need a swaddle for your newborn baby, check out swaddle blankets or Velcro swaddles. These will help with any startling reflexes your baby may have because the swaddles will resemble being in the womb. Because babies will eventually have to learn to sleep without being swaddled, there are swaddles designed for the big transition. You just want to ensure your baby’s hips are free to avoid dislocation or hip dysplasia from happening.
Size/Age
Swaddles come in different sizes for each age, which is an important factor many parents and caregivers don’t know. Knowing the correct size will keep your baby safe as a blanket that’s too big for them may become loose and then a suffocation hazard. Double check the manufacturer’s age recommendation for the swaddle before you buy. Stick with that guideline to ensure your baby will have a proper fit and stay safe.
Why Trust Verywell Family?
Katrina Cossey has been a digital content producer and news and feature writer for more than six years. She has covered topics ranging from local and national news as well as writing and researching for parenting content. Katrina is a parent herself, and found Velcro swaddles to be the most helpful during her child’s newborn days. “When swaddling your baby at night, be sure to keep a close eye on the temperature in your child’s room and make sure that the fabric your child is wearing is appropriate for the climate of your home,” Ashton McCutchen, a certified pediatric sleep consultant, and a pediatric registered nurse tells Verywell Family. “Also, be careful not to over swaddle your baby during the day, as this can result in your child getting too much daytime sleep, which will make for less nighttime sleeping.
“You should not swaddle your baby when they are in a car seat or during tummy time,” McCutchen adds. “Also, you should avoid swaddling your baby when it is warm, as babies can overheat easily, which can increase the risk of SIDS.” The AAP says while swaddle blankets are safe, a swaddle that’s unwrapped or too loose also poses a suffocation risk. That’s why it’s so important to have a secure swaddle blanket and to never swaddle past the two-month mark or when your baby first starts trying to roll over. To make this transition, McCutchen advises clients to start by letting their baby sleep with one arm out of the swaddle for a couple of nights. “Allowing your baby to sleep with one arm out will allow them to get used to having a free arm out and help them to get comfortable moving without triggering their startle reflex,” she says. “After a few nights, you can transition your baby to a Halo Sleepsack, which allows your baby to sleep with both arms out while still getting the comfort and warmth that they were accustomed to with their swaddle.”
